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President Biden is ending his White House tenure on a “sad” note after “lying to the nation” and taking credit for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas during his farewell address Wednesday night. , a Trump transition official said.
“Joe Biden leaves sad. He lies to the nation by trying to take credit for a deal that all parties credit President Trump for making happen. Biden has had more than a year to secure the release of these hostages and the peace. He failed. Trump succeeded,” a Trump transition official told Fox News Digital on Wednesday night.
War has ravaged the Middle East since October 2023, and on Wednesday Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement that also secured the release of hostages.
Biden delivered his final address to the nation on Wednesday night, where he took a victory lap for the ceasefire in his opening remarks.
Left: President Joe Biden delivers a speech on the latest developments in Syria from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on December 8, 2024 in Washington, DC; Right: President-elect Donald Trump reacts during his meeting with Prince William, Prince of Wales, at the United Kingdom Embassy Residence on December 7, 2024 in Paris, France. (Left: Pete Marovich/Getty Images; Right: Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)
“My fellow Americans, I speak to you tonight from the Oval Office. Before I begin, let me address today’s important news. After eight months of nonstop negotiations, my administration – by my administration – a ceasefire and Israel and Hamas have reached a hostage agreement, the elements of which I outlined in great detail in May of this year. Biden said.
President Joe Biden speaks from the Oval Office of the White House as he delivers his farewell address Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/Pool via AP)
“This plan was developed and negotiated by my team, and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s the way it should be, working together as Americans,” he continued. . .
Former US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) as they pose for a photo during their meeting at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, United States United, on July 26, 2024. (Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO) / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
However, credit for reaching the deal was bolstered by the incoming Trump administration, according to sources who told Fox Digital that a recent meeting between Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly played a pivotal role in the deal.
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Netanyahu also thanked Trump on Wednesday for “his help in advancing the release of the hostages.”
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump this afternoon and thanked him for his help in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel end the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families. “said the official prime minister. Minister of Israel X account published.
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on October 1, 2024. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
“The Prime Minister made clear that he is committed to returning as many hostages as he can, and praised the US President-elect for his statements that the US would work with Israel to ensure that Gaza is never a haven for terrorism.”
The X account later added: “Prime Minister Netanyahu later spoke with US President Joe Biden and also thanked him for his help in advancing the hostage deal.”
ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE AND HOSTAGE RELEASE AGREEMENT: ‘AMERICANS WILL BE PART OF IT’
Asked who the history books would remember for championing the ceasefire agreement earlier Wednesday, Biden pushed back against the suggestion that Trump and his team led the effort.
“Who in the history books gets credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?” Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked Biden at the White House press conference Wednesday afternoon.
“Is that a joke?” the president responded.
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“Oh. Thank you,” Biden responded when Heinrich said it wasn’t a joke and then walked away.
